Teeside toy specialist banks on local art

BRYAN Goodall, owner of the Hambleton Group which includes toy auctioneers Vectis of Stockton-on-Tees, has invested £600,000 in ArtsBank, a new gallery and arts centre in nearby Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

The new venture, which opens over the Easter weekend, is a
Community Interest Company (CIC) which aims to promote the work of
artists from across the North-East, a cause close to Mr Goodall's
heart.

Artsbank will be based in a converted five-storey Victorian
building, formerly an HSBC bank, which was purchased by Mr Goodall
last year. The venue will include a commercial gallery, a
free-of-charge mini cinema showing local interest and artists'
films, and will provide a live venue for a range of events, music
and talks.

The April opening will showcase over 50 North Eastern artists
and, as a CIC, all profits will be reinvested into the project.
Artsbank will also launch a website to market and sell prints and
original art to a wider audience, utilising Mr Goodall's experience
in developing the successful online trading side of his Vectis
business.

For more information contact info@artsbank.co.uk

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